Library usage up around Seattle

January 16, 10:31 AMSeattle Books ExaminerDanielle Dreger-Babbitt

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Library cards are replacing credit cards.  In years past, when the economy starts to slump library usage tends to increase.  This is the case during the current recession.  Both the King County Library System and Seattle Public Library reported loaning over a million more items each in 2008 than in 2007.  

King County is actually the second busiest library system in the country (after Queens Borough, New York).  Last year, patrons requested over 20 million books, DVDs, and CD's.  Magazine circulation decreased by one percent.  Downloads of e-books, videos, and audio books were among the items that saw the biggest increase in circulation. 

The Seattle Public Library System actually saw their circulation increase by 21 percent in 2008.  Patrons checked out over 10 million items last year.  But the Seattle metro area isn't the only location where library usage is up;  library systems nationwide report an increase in patrons getting library cards, in program attendance, and in circulation.  It also doesn't hurt that Americans are actually reading more fiction these days.  According to a study done by the National Endowment to the Arts, in the last six years the number of people who reported reading something online or in print had increased by 16.6 million people (roughly three percent of the population) and that half the U.S population reported reading something last year.

It's pretty incredible if you think about it.  It makes me unbelievably happy to see library usage up and more people reading.  These are the reasons why I think library usage is up during times of economic strife:

1.  Free DVDs.  Forget paying $4 a pop for a movie rental or a $20 a month Netflix subscription.  Libraries offer practically all the same movies for free.  Plus patrons who have cut back on their cable bill don't have to worry about missing their favorite shows.  Most libraries carry DVDs of popular TV series like Heroes, The Office, and Lost.

2.  Free music.  Libraries have incredible collections of CD's and even downloadable music (some may even continue to circulate vinyl and cassette tapes).  Patrons who can't afford to buy a new CD every week or download music from itunes can get new releases and old favorites if they don't mind a short wait.

3.  Books.  This is pretty much a given, but for people who used to browse Borders and buy new hardcovers, this is quite a money saver, especially if it's a title they only read once.  There might be a waiting list, but you'll still be able to find best sellers and other hot new releases.  Perhaps the only real cost is 50 cents in overdue fines for a book that was too good to put down.

4.  Programs.  Libraries have long hosted events like author talks, storytimes, and book discussion groups, but I think as more people search for free fun and entertainment, programs will continue to see an increase in attendees.  Bonus for the libraries who show free movies.

5.  Magazines.  Despite the circulation being down by one percent at KCLS, these are still a popular draw (as are newspapers).  Just because people cut costs and cancel subscriptions, it doesn't mean they stop reading magazines (plus since so little of magazine content is actually online one must search for a hard copy to read all the really good articles).

6.  Computers.  Not everyone has a computer at home, or even Internet.  Libraries (especially in the Pacific Northwest) have a ton of computers.  As more and more people are laid off, these might become an even hotter commodity for creating resumes and doing job searching.  Many local libraries even allow patrons to use laptop computers for an hour at a time inside the library, and almost all libraries have free wireless.

These are just a few of the things that I think that are drawing people into the library.  There are still a ton of other reasons (coffee shops, video games, computer classes) out there.  I think 2009 will be an even bigger year in terms of library usage as people realize just how valuable libraries are.